Linearly pivoting light diffuser hanger



p 26, 1967 F. E. RYDER 3,344,270

LINEARLY PIVOTING LIGHT DIFFUSER HANGER Filed Jan. 5, 1966 2 h e h lINVENTOR. Francis E Ryder His Aff'ys F. E. RYDER Sept. 26, 1967 LINEARLYPIVOTING LIGHT DIFFUSER HANGER 2 Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed Jan. 5, 1966lllllllilnl-Wl INVENTOR. Francis E. Ryder His Arr s United States PatentIce 3,344,270 LINEARLY PIVOTING LIGHT DIFFUSER HANGER Francis E. Ryder,Bartlett, Elf, assignor to Illinois Tool Works Ina, Chicago, 111., acorporation of Delaware Filed Jan. 3, 1966, Ser. No. 518,347 12 Claims.(Cl. 240144) The present invention relates to a new and improved lightdiffuser hanger, and more particularly, to a light diffused hangerassembly for adjustably mounting a diffuser panel relative to a fixtureelement.

Commercial buildings are being designed today to permit rearrangement ofinternal wall partitions and consequent change of room sizes to meetvarying demands. Where such building systems are employed, it isrecognized that lighting arrangements must be versatile enough to retainlighting effectiveness as room sizes change without extensivemodifications. The ability to rearrange lighting-ceiling components toprovide the required light intensity as well as meet various types oflighting requirements-semi-indirect, direct, and luminous ceilinghasthus become an important part of a flexible building system.

In the usual case, light diffuser panels are mounted in close proximityto lighting fixtures to minimize glare and spread the light intensityover a predetermined area. The number, type and location of lightdiffuser panels to lighting fixture elements determine the type oflighting desired, and this makes the support or mounting of the lightdiffuser panel a particularly important aspect of a versatile lightingarrangement. Although there are various ways to support light diffuserpanels from a ceiling structure, it has been found convenient to mountor support the diffuser panels by hanger structures which are in turnmounted to the lighting fixture elements. Yet this mounting arrangementdoes not accommodate itself to the builtin versatility of theaforementioned lighting system unless some way is provided to regulateor adjust the relationship of the diffuser panel relative to the fixtureelements without requiring the use of hanger structures of differents1ze.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a newand improved light diffuser hanger for adjustably mounting a diffuserpanel relative to a fixture element.

More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide alight diffuser hanger which permits ver tical adjustment of a diffuserpanel relative to a fixture element to meet varying requirements of aversatile lighting arrangement.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a light diffuserhanger structure which affords convenient access thereto for regulatingthe prescribed relationship of a diffuser panel relative to a fixtureelement.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of alight diffuser hanger of the aforementioned type which providesrelatively precise adjustment of the hanger components without anysubstantial slipping therebetween, eliminates the strain of componentsworking against one another, and yet is made from a minimum number ofparts.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of alight diffuser hanger of the foregoing type which can be quickly andeasily mounted to a lighting fixture element in a releasable fashionwhile at the same time providing a reliable and relatively stablesupporting arm or arms for a diffuser panel.

These and other and further objects and advantages are obtained by theprovision of at least one elongated supporting arm which is pivotallymounted at one end to a fixture element and at its other end supports adiffuser 3,344,276 Patented Sept. 26, 1967 panel, the supporting armadapted to be moved in a pivotal fashion while the pivot point thereofis shifted predetermined increments to obtain the desired relativeadjustment of the diffuser panel to the fixture element.

Reference is now made to the drawings for the illustrative embodiment ofthe present invention wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a lighting ceilingarrangement incorporating hanger structures or assemblies as constructedin accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of one light diffuser hangerstructure or assembly which is used preferably in the environment shownin FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a bracket member which is used ineach light diffuser hanger structure or assembly;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of a fixture element with alight diffuser hanger structure mounted thereto;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic representation illustrating various positionsof a hanger supporting arm, the outer end of which moves in a linearpath for reasons which will hereinafter appear;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary enlarged top plan view of a light diffuserhanger structure in the vicinity of its bracket member and otherproximate components; and

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a rotary threaded screw member usedin each light diffuser hanger structure of the present invention.

In the discussion that follows, the light diffuser hanger structure orassembly will be discussed in terms of a pair of supporting arms whichcooperatively engage a diffuser panel and support it relative to a lightfixture element. It is to be specifically understood, however, thatinsofar as the scope of the present invention is concerned, a lightdiffuser hanger may include only a single supporting arm which isappropriately configured itself, or which includes additional parts, toenable it to support one or more diffuser panels as desired.

Referring now to the drawings, and first to FIG. 1, there will be seen alighting-ceiling system including a metal grid 10 suspended from theroof structure which supports within the open spaces thereof a sheetmetal lighting coffer as shown as a flat ceiling pan. Both the grid andlighting coffer can be made of prefinished sheet steel, provided withperforated surfaces for increased sound absorption, and backed withmineral wool batts to provide fireproofing and sound absorption featuresas desired. Each of the lighting coffers as fiat ceiling sectionssupport one or more two-lamp strip fixtures which mount a pair offluorescent bulbs in a conventional fashion as shown. A diffuser panelwith translucent properties, preferably made from a rigid plasticmaterial, is positioned beneath each fixture element 30, and supportedby two pairs of light diffuser hangers which are in turn supported bythe fixture element 30 as illustrated.

As best seen in FIG. 2 of the drawings, each light diffuser hanger 60includes a supporting arm 62 which can be conveniently subdivided forpurposes of discussion into a first end section 64, and intermediate ormiddle section 66, and a second end section 68. The first end section 64is pivotally mounted to a corresponding fixture element 30 preferably byway of the other components shown in FIG. 2, and for this purpose, isprovided with a pair of laterally extending cars having aligned openings72 which receive a pivot pin structure 78 in a manner to be described indetail below.

The intermediate or middle section 66 of the supporting arm 62 extendsdownwardly and away from the first end section 64 at an obtuse anglethereto, and at such a dimension to clear the lamp 40 at any setting.

3 The lower end of the supporting arm 62 is integrally joined to thesecond end section 68 which first extends laterally away from theintermediate or middle section 66 and terminates in a reverselyextending foot 74 with holes 75 to allow light transmission and minimizeshadows. Eachfoot 74 underlies one of the inturned flanges 52 of thelight diffuser panel 50 as illustrated in FIG. 1. The elongatedsupporting arm 62 is preferably a stamped and bent sheet metal componentwith an invested channel-shaped configuration to afford prescribedreinforcing capabilities.

The ears 70 of the supporting arm 62 are pivotally attached to theU-shaped bracket member 76 by way of the sheet metal nut/ pivot pinstamping 78, the latter in turn being connected to the rotary threadedscrew member 80 for reasons which will appear hereinafter. As best seenin FIGS. 2-3 and 6, the bracket member 76 includes a bight end portion82 with a pair of upstanding, generally parallel leg portions 84extending from opposite sides thereof. A cam slot 86 is provided in eachof the leg portions 84, and arranged in mirror image relationship witheach other. The cam slots 86 are designed to receive the oppositelydirected pivot pins 88 which are integrally attached to the nut/pivotpin stamping 78. The pivot pins 88 are first passed from the insidethrough the aligned opening 72 provided in the ears 70 of the supportingarm 62 and then through the slots 86 of the leg portions 84 so as topivotally mount the supporting arm 62 to the bracket member 76. In sodoing, it will be apparent that the ears 70 will be initially spreadopen to permit the pivot pins 88 to be passed through the openings 72.

The sheet metal nut/ pivot pin device 78 also includes at least onehelical thread 90 which is complementary to the helical threads of thescrew 80. The screw 80 is first threadably connected to the sheet metalnut/pivot pin device 78 by way of the helical thread 90, and thenassembled to the bracket member 76 in a manner to be described in detailbelow. Rotation of the screw thread member 80 will increase or decreasethe threaded engagement with the helical thread 90 of the nutmember/pivot pin stamping, the effect of which is to move the latter andthereby the supporting arm 62 along the cam slot 86 for adjusting orregulating the elongated supporting arm 62 of a light diffuser hanger 60in a manner to be described in detail below.

Each bracket member 76 is adapted to be mounted to one of the inclinedsidewalls 32 of the fixture element 30 in the manner best seen in FIG. 5of the drawing and for this purpose includes a pair of spaced arm orfoot members 92, 94 extending outwardly away from the bight end portion82 of the bracket member 76 as best illustrated in FIG. 3 of thedrawing. The foot member 92 is generally L-shaped and is substantiallyinflexible whereas the foot member 94 is hook-shaped and resilient toafford snap action engagement with one of the walls 32 of a fixtureelement 30. At the free end of the hook-shaped resilient foot 94, thereis provided a wall engaging finger or prong 96 which cooperates with theinflexible foot 92 in releasably mounting the bracket member 76 to oneof the walls or panels 32 of the fixture element 30 as will now bedescribed.

Each of the walls or panels 32 have an opening 34 generallycomplementary to, but slightly larger than the foot member 92, a roundhole 38, and a notch 36 extending from the outer marginal end of a wallor panel 32, all of which we aligned with each other as shown in FIG. 4.The distance or dimension x between the innermost marginal portion ofthe aligned opening 34 and notch 36 is greater than the spacing ybetween the innermost portions of the foot 92 and the finger or prong 96of the foot 94. As a result, it is a relatively simple matter toassemble a bracket member 76 to a wall or panel 32 with the foot members92, 94 of the bracket member thereafter serving to effectively retainthe bracket member in the desired position. More particularly, theassembly of a bracket member 76 to a wall or panel 32 is accomplishedfirst by inserting the inflexible foot member 92 within the opening 34provided in the wall or panel 32, and then moving the hookshapedresilient foot member 94 into engagement with a marginal portion of thewall or panel 32 adjacent the notch 36 thereof. In so doing, the fingeror prong element 96 will first engage the marginal portion, and due toits configuration will cause the spacing between the foot members 92, 94to be increased from the dimension y to at least the dimension x formovement of the finger or prong elements 96 past the wall or panel 32 atwhich point the distance between the foot members 92, 94 will be reducedagain to the spacing or dimension y by the snap-action engaging movementof the finger or prong element 96 with the lower face of the wall orpanel 32. The finally mounted position of the foot members 92, 94 to awall or panel member 32 is best seen in FIG. 4 of the drawing. Tabs onsurface 84 are of a width slightly less than notch 36 and stabilize theassembly laterally.

Prior to mounting the bracket member 76 of a light diffuser hanger 60 toa wall or panel 32 of a fixture element 30, the various components ofthe hanger 60 will first have been assembled to each other. The assemblyof the arm 62 with the nut/pivot pin stamping 78 and the bracket member76 has already been discussed. The screw member 80 is assembled to thebracket 76 and thereafter restrained from movement with respect theretoexcept by increasing or decreasing the threaded engagement with the nut/pivot pin stamping 78. The screw member 80, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and7 includes an enlarged head 100 of predetermined size, the undersurface102 of which tapers downwardly and inwardly and merges with theunthreaded shank section 104 which in turn is connected to the threadedshank section 106. A washer element 108, which may either be separate orintegral with the screw member 80, i located in the vicinity of thejuncture between the threaded and unthreaded sections of the shank andis limited axially to prevent movement past the screw threaded section.The washer 108 preferably has a curvilinear upper surface for reasonswhich will appear hereinafter.

The screw head 100 is passed through openings or slots provided in thebight end portion 82 of the bracket member 76, and then moved intoassembled relationship therewith. As best seen in FIG. 6 of thedrawings, the opening in the bight end portion 82 preferably includefirst and second interconnected slots 110, 112. The first slot 110 islarge enough to receive the head 100 of the screw member 80 wheninserted from the side as depicted by the phantom and full lines shownin FIG. 6. The slot 112 is, however, of-smaller transverse width thanthe minimum transverse dimension of the screw head 100, but larger thanthe diameter of unthreaded shank section 104 so that the screw member 80is restrained by the head 100 in moving inwardly of the bracket 76.Furthermore, when the unthreaded portion 104 of the screw member 80 isreceived within the slot 112, the washer 108 will be positioned forengagement with the internal wall surface of the bight end portion 82 tocompletely restrict axial movement of the screw member 80 when thuspositioned in the slot 112.

There will be the possibility that the screw member 80 will move fromthe slot 112 into the slot 110, but there are several featuresincorporated in the present invention which will prevent inadvertentdisassembly of the screw member relative to the other components of thehanger. First of all, the maximum transverse width of the slot 110 issufficiently smaller than the minimum diameter of the head 100 such thatwhile it will permit assembly or movement of the enlarged headtherethrough when disposed at an angle thereto as shown in FIG. 6, itwill not allow the screw head 100 to pass therethrough unless disposedat the angular relationship. This will be prevented because the end ofthe screw member 80 is threadably associated with the nut/pivot pinstamping 78 which itself is snapped into place by first spreading theears 70 for receiving the pivot pins 88 within the openings 72 thereof,and this assembly is then associated with bracket 76 by spreading legs84 to enable the pivot pins to be snapped into the cam slots 86. Therewould nevertheless be a slight transverse shifting of the screw memberrelative to its axi in a direction toward the slot 110, and this wouldmake precise adjustments of the hanger components difiicult.

To forestall this transverse displacement of the screw member it is tobe noted that the second slot 112 is formed in a laterally outwardlydirected protuberance 114 which is designed to be received within anopening 38 provided in the wall or panel 32 of a fixture element 30 asbest seen in FIG. 4. The size of the opening 38 is just large enough toreceive the protuberance 114 for closing olf the slot 110. This will notonly prevent inadvertent displacement of the screw member 80 from theslot 112, but will effectively prevent any transverse shifting thereofand provide adjustment capabilities of a relatively precise nature.

The washer member 108 is provided not only for the purpose ofrestraining rearward axial movement of the screw member 80 should therebe a threaded disengagement with the nut/pivot pin stamping 78, but isdesigned to abut against the inner Wall surface of the protuberance 114and cooperate with the undersurface 102 of the screw head 100 to providea relatively smooth adjustment and minimize strain on the workingcomponents of the hanger. Specifically, the outwardly directedprotuberance 114 has a curvilinear shape generally complementary to theundersurface 102 of the screw head 100 which contacts the exteriorsurface thereof, and the top surface of the washer 103 which engages theinterior wall surface of the protuberance. This will enable the screwmember 80 to move the nut/ pivot pin stamping 78 and thus the elongatedarm 62 along the cam slots 86 while at the same time changing its angleof inclination, as indicated by angle 1 in FIG. 5, with respect to thebight end portion 82 of the bracket member without in any wayinterfering or impeding with the operation of the screw member 30 or anyother component of the hanger 69. Thus, relatively little or no strainswill be imparted to the various components of the hanger 6i and asmooth, relatively precise adjustment of the supporting arm is possible.When a light diffuser hanger 69 is assembled to a wall or panel 32 of afixture element 30, the bracket member will assume generally theposition seen in FIG. 5 of the drawing, the elongated arm 62 assumingany one of several positions because of its adjustment capability. Eachelongated supporting arm 62 is capable of being readily adjusted to thedesired position by simply rotating the screw member 80. It will benoted that the head 100 of the screw member 80 is held by theprotuberance 114 in a position slightly beneath the lower face of a wallor panel 32 as seen in FIG. 5, thereby affording convenient accessthereto.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention as readily depicted in FIG.1 of the drawing, the light diffuser hangers 60 are preferably used ingenerally opposed pairs for adjustably mounting the light diffuser panel50 relative to the fixture element 30 from which the generally opposedpairs of light diffuser hangers extend as shown. The outer or free ends74 of each elongated supporting arm 62 are designed to engage theinturned flanges 52 of a diffuser panel and thereby support it in apredetermined position relative to its corresponding fixture element 30.

In order to adjust or position a diffuser panel 50 in a desired locationrelative to a fixture element 30, it is important that the panelengaging end 74 of each supporting arm is maintained in a linear pathsubstantially parallel to a vertical plane passing through the fixtureelement from which each light diffuser hanger extends throughoutpredetermined incremental movements of each supporting arm 62. Theimportance of this prescribed relationship will become apparent when itis recognized that the transverse dimension between the generallyopposed inturned flanges 52 on each diffuser panel 50 is fixed. Thus,when the elongated supporting arms 62 of each light diffuser hanger 60are mounted to a corresponding stationary fixture element 39, some meansmust be provided to maintain each of the panel engaging ends 74 in alinear path or common plane substantially parallel to a vertical planepassing through the fixture element in order to obtain the desiredadjustment.

It has been found advantageous to accomplish this by pivotally mountingone end of each elongated supporting arm 62 to a fixture element by wayof the bracket member 76, and then vertically displacing each supportingarm and laterally shifting the pivot point thereof predeterminedincrements as compensating distances which are sufiicient to maintainthe panel engaging end 68 of each supporting arm in the desired linearpath throughout various attitudes of each supporting arm.

Upon reflection, it will be apparent that the structure of the lightdiffuser hanger 60 heretofore discussed will provide the desiredmovement. More specifically and with particular reference to FIG. 5 ofthe drawing, the desired movement will be discussed in terms of thespecific hanger structure illustrated in the drawing and heretoforedescribed. Although only a single light diffuser hanger 60 is shown inFIG. 5 of the drawing, it will be understood that the operation of acorresponding hanger in a pair of generally opposed hangers asillustrated in FIG. 1 embodiment will be identical.

The supporting arm 62 is shown with a full line position and severaldotted or phantom positions in FIG. 5 of the drawings. To regulate oradjust the supporting arm 62 from the full to a dotted line positionthereabove, it is necessary to turn the screw threaded member in acounterclockwise direction to increase the threaded engagement of thescrew with the nut/ pivot pin stamping 78, and thereby cause the pivotpins 88 of the stamping 78 to move to a lower position along the camslots 86 as viewed in FIG. 5 of the drawings. As the pivot pins 88 aremoved toward the lower end of the cam slots 86 as viewed in FIG. 5 ofthe drawings, the first end section 64 of the supporting arm 62 engagesthe wall 32 at a different point. (The first end section 64 of eachsupporting arm is received within a notch 36 provided in a wall 32 andrests against the innermost marginal portions adjacent the notch 36.) Inother words, the fulcrum point of each supporting arm is changed as thepivot pins 88 are moved along the cam slots 86, thereby changing theeffective length of the supporting arm projecting past surface 32. Whenthe pivot pins 88 are moved toward the lower end of the cam slots 86,the distance between the pivot pins and the fulcrum point on the panelor fixture identified by letter F will be increased whereas when thepivot pins 88 are moved toward the upper reaches of the cam slots 86,the effective distance between the pivot pins 88 and the fulcrum point Fwill be shortened. This will result, as viewed in FIG. 5 of thedrawings, in a movement of the supporting arm 62 toward the left as itis raised from the full to the dotted line positions thereabove whilebeing moved toward the right as it is lowered from the full to thelowermost dotted line position.

The relative size and configuration of the hanger component, such as thecurvature of the cam slots 86, the distance therefrom to the fulcrumpoint P, etc. willbe determinative of the paths of movement for eachpanel engaging end 74. To accommodate a diffuser panel 50 of fixeddimensions, the panel engaging end of each supporting arm 62 is designedto move in a linear path or common plane substantially parallel to avertical plane passing through the fixture element 30 to which arespective supporting arm 62 is attached. This desired movement for eachpanel engaging end can be readily depicted in FIG. 5 of the drawings. Itwill thus be understood that although each supporting arm can be movedto various predetermined attitudes, the distance from the fulcrum pointF and the outer free extremity of each panel engaging end when measuredhorizontally will remain in the same to accommodate diffuser panels 50of the fixed dimension.

It is, of course, to be understood that various modificae tions of thepresent invention are possible. For example, an alternate form of thepresent invention might include the elimination of nut/pivot pinstamping 78, and the formation of a threaded helical impressioncorresponding to the helical thread 90 of the nut/ pivot pin in thebracket member 76 generally in the vicinity of the protuberance 114 forreception of the threaded portion of the screw member. In conjunctionwith this, the cam slots 86 could take the form of a series of notchesconnected by a slot so that for adjusting the supporting arm 62, it ismerely necessary to move the pivot of the supporting arm into thecorresponding notch in the bracket member, and then adjust the screwmember for the final adjustment. Another variation of the presentinvention could take the form of integrally or otherwise uniting thepivot pins 88 with ears 70 of the supporting arm 62, and eitherproviding corresponding holes in the nut/ pivot pin stamping 78 toreceive the pivot pins or by entirely eliminating the pivot pin stampingand forming a helical impression in the surface 64 of the bracket member76 as hereinbefore mentioned. With these examples, it will now berecognized that various modifications within the scope of the claims ofthe present invention are possible and are contemplated.

It will now be apparent from the foregoing discussion that the presentinvention contemplates a light diffuser hanger assembly comprising oneor more light diffuser hangers, each of which are designed to adjustablymount a light diffuser panel relative to a fixture element although aspecific embodiment of a light diffuser hanger has been shown, it willbe understood that it is for illustrative purposes only. Various changesin structure will no doubt occur to those skilled in the art, and willbe understood as forming a part of the present invention insofar as theyfall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A light diffuser hanger for adjustably mounting a diffuser panelrelative to a fixture element comprising, at least one elongatedsupporting arm pivotally mounted at one end to said fixture element andat its other end engaging and supporting said difiuser panel, saidsupporting arm being disposed at an angle to a vertical plane passingthrough said fixture element, and means for both vertically displacingsaid supporting arm and laterally shifting the pivot point thereofsuflicient predetermined distances to position the panel engaging end ofsaid supporting arm at various attitudes in a linear path substantiallyparallel to said vertical plane and thereby permit vertical adjustmentof said diffuser panel relative to said fixture element.

2. The structure as set forth in claim 1 and including a secondsupporting arm extending from said fixture element in a directiongenerally opposite said first supporting arm, each of the panel engagingends of said first and second supporting arms being configured toreceive and support inturned flanges of said diffuser panel.

3. The structure as set forth in claim 1 and including a bracket memberattached to said fixture element for each of the supporting arms.

4. The structure as set forth in claim 3 wherein each bracket memberincludes at least one resilient arm for snap action engagement with saidfixture element.

5. The structure as set forth in claim 3 wherein said means fordisplacing and shifting said supporting arm comprises at least one camslot provided in said bracket member, pivot means associated with saidsupporting arm and extending through the cam slot, and means for movingsaid pivot means along said cam slot to obtain adjustment of saidsupporting arm. a

6. The structure as set forth in claim 3 wherein each bracket member issubstantially U-shaped in configuration having a bight end portion and apair of spaced substantially parallel leg portions, and said means forvertically displacing and laterally shifting said supporting armincludes a cam slot provided on each of the leg portions arranged inmirror image relationship with one another, a nut member havinggenerally opposed pivot pins associated therewith, said pivot pinsextending through aligned openings in said supporting arm and throughsaid cam slots, and a threaded screw member threadably engaging said nutmember to move its associated pivot pins along said cam slots foradjustment of said supporting arm.

7. The structure as set forth in claim 6 wherein said nut member is asubstantially flat element having at least one helical thread and a pairof integral wing elements extending from opposite sides thereof to formsaid pivot pins.

8. The structure as set forth in claim 6 wherein said threaded screwmember is provided with an enlarged head at one end thereof, theundersurface of which is curvilinear in shape for engagement with acomplementary shaped protuberance provided on said bracket member topermit unimpeded adjustment of said supporting arm on said bracketmember.

9. The structure as set forth in claim 8 wherein the bight end portionincludes first and second slot means, said first slot means being largeenough to receive the head of the threaded screw member therein, saidsecond slot means being smaller than said screw head to preventinadvertent removal of said screw member therefrom in one directionafter assembly through said first slot means.

10. The structure as set forth in claim 9 wherein said second slot meansis formed in an outwardly directed protuberance adapted to be receivedwithin an opening of predetermined larger size provided in said fixtureelement, the marginal portions surrounding the opening in said fixtureelement preventing said screw member from moving into said first slotmeans after said bracket member is assembled to said fixture element,the head of said screw member thereby being exposed to facilitateadjustment of said supporting arm.

11. The structure as set forth in claim 9 and including washer meansassociated with said screw member and engaging the inner wall surface ofsaid bight end portion to prevent retrograde movement of said screwmember relative to said bracket member in a direction generally oppositeto said first mentioned direction.

12. The structure as set forth in claim 11 wherein each of thecomponents of the hanger are made from sheet metal.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 522,116 6/1894 Hughes 248291681,614 8/1901 Bowen et al. 248-291 2,837,307 6/1958 Schwager et al.248298 3,142,447 7/ 1964 Bodian 248-343 3,263,072 7/1966 Kruger 24078NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner.

M. H. HAYES, Assistant Examiner.

1. A LIGHT DIFFUSER HANGER FOR ADJUSTABLY MOUNTING A DIFFUSER PANELRELATIVE TO A FIXTURE ELEMENT COMPRISING, AT LEAST ONE ELONGATEDSUPPORTING ARM PIVOTALLY MOUNTED AT ONE END TO SAID FIXTURE ELEMENT ANDAT ITS OTHER END ENGAGING AND SUPPORTING SAID DIFFUSER PANEL, SAIDSUPPORTING ARM BEING DISPOSED AT AN ANGLE TO A VERTICAL PLANE PASSINGTHROUGH SAID FIXTURE ELEMENT, AND MEANS FOR BOTH VERTICALLY DISPLACINGSAID SUPPORTING ARM AND LATERALLY SHIFTING THE PIVOT POINT THEREOFSUFFICIENT PREDETERMINED DISTANCES TO POSITION THE PANEL ENGAGING END OFSAID SUPPORTING ARM AT VARIOUS ATTITUDES IN A LINEAR PATH SUBSTANTIALLYPARALLEL TO SAID VERTICAL PLANE AND THEREBY PERMIT VERTICAL ADJUSTMENTOF SAID DIFFUSER PANEL RELATIVE TO SAID FIXTURE ELEMENT.